The Outback - Friday evening - 8/07

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She wasn't sure if this was a good idea, but there was a half-written letter on her desk in her rooms at the apartment building that she couldn't deny she'd written and her fingers practically itched with the desire to get her hands on a file, a bit of evidence, a length of rope or a scrap of cloth. She loved it here, she'd loved it here, but she was a creature of duty, a workaholic, and one who had been idle for far too long. Most importantly, she loved something else.

Someone else.

And she wasn't sure at all how this would go. That was why she was sipping at a brandy she'd convinced the man to give her straight up and trying not to twist the little brown loaf into pieces.

[for one but the restaurant is open, obviously]

Comments

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Yah, me too," he smiled back. "Working ya know."

There was so much he wanted to say, to tell her, the trouble was he didn't know where to start.

"Anything interesting going on?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She thought of the letter. And her classes.

"Not... particularly. Nothing has 'gone on', precisely. Just a great deal of thinking."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He nodded, "Yah, I know that one too. So ... can I ask what about?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"If you promise to share in return," she said teasingly.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Always," he grinned, giving her hand a light squeeze.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"I've... been considering a return to New Amsterdam. While my superior" who she would not name since she knew it would bother Murdock, "has not contacted me, the singular lack of contact, in my mind, speaks more to him waiting for me than that he has forgotten one of his greatest assets."

She looked up at him.

"There are, however," and she squeezed his hand again, "two things which keep me here."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He drew in a long breath. Somehow, he knew this was coming. Had always known that this would happen eventually.

"And what are those things?" he asked quietly.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She looked at their hands on the table.

"The students, obviously," she said before finally looking up at him.

"And you. Of course."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He raised her hand to his lips and held it there for a moment, closing his eyes. The termoil of emotions was almost overpowering.

"I know," he nodded finally. "I just ... wanted to hear you say it, I guess. And...I've been thinking the same. About going back. With everything that's happened to the team, I feel like I need to be there for them. I can't do that here."

"But I don't want to lose you either," he said finally, softly.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She actually felt, well, comforted by that. She'd thought he would argue, that he wouldn't understand but no. He understood too well, in fact.

"Then... do you think we could exchange letters? Perhaps, well, perhaps visit with one another?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"If you didn't write to me, I'd have to come kidnap you," he chuckled. "And I would love for you to come for a visit. Anytime," he smiled.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"As you would always be welcome in my home," she said softly, "whatever conniptions it might give Mary on occasion."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He laughed. "I'm sure she'll live. 'Sides, I can always bring her something to make up for it."

The laugh faded but a bit of a smile remained even as he asked, "How soon where you thinking of going?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"I was going to finish the semester, obviously," she said airily before cutting a slice of bread for herself.

"You?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"'Bout the same. The lighthouse is just about done, and I don't want to leave Tully hanging." Murdock glanced at the bread, but the truth was he was too wound up to eat much. His stomach felt like it was doing flip-flops. "So ... a few more weeks. At most."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She nodded.

"I'll have to send a letter to prepare the way of course."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Yah, I'll have to set something up too." He considered for a moment, then pushed ahead. "Let me ask you something. Do you think that if I was ... released, it's likely that it was arranged?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She blinked as she drew back.

"Arranged? What do you mean?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He'd been putting off telling her this part for too long. But now there wasn't any time left.

"Right after Stockwell took over the team, I got released from psychiatric care. Said I was cured. But I dunno. Kinda convenient, ain't it? I wouldn't be surprised if Stockwell had something to do with it."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"I wouldn't be surprised either. Is there any way you could get me something he'd touched and perhaps a copy of your release papers?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Sure," he nodded. "Might take me a couple days, but no prob. What you got in mind?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"I am a forensic sorceress," she reminded him with a squeeze to his hand.

"If there's a connection, I should be able to sense it."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"I'd appreciate it." He smiled a bit, "Solve the mystery of ol' Murdock."

Which gave him a bit of another idea, but one thing at a time.

"You know I'll miss you."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She nodded.

"And I'll certainly miss you. Though I think that your presence will be a part of my life for some time to come."

She would not forget that she was worth love. Worth love honestly, without manipulations or games. She was worth someone's concern and consideration.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Mine too. I mean you in my life not myself in mine." Wait. Did that make sense? Never mind. "You know what I mean."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She laughed.

"Yes, yes, I do."

And she leaned down to kiss his hand.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He smiled while watching her, then decided to do her one better. By leaning in to press a long, fiery kiss to her lips.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She leaned into the kiss and let her other hand wander into his hair.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

It had been a while since they'd gotten together and he thoroughly enjoyed kissing her. He could have stayed like that forever, but a 'hmrpf' from the NPC waiter reminded him that they were in a public place.

"Sorry," he said sheepishly. "Uhm, I guess we're ready to order?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She ordered an appetizer for dinner. It was really all she wanted.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He did the same and the waiter wandered off, shaking his head.

"I guess we got carried away," he chuckled. "Maybe we should get together a bit more privately before," he couldn't quite bring himself to say leave just yet, "the next few weeks are up."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"You're very foolish if you think I'd let you get away without it."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Hey, I ain't that crazy," he laughed. "No way would I miss that."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"Good. As long as that's settled," she said with a sly smile and another squeeze to his hand.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"Have you told anyone else yet?"

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She shook her head.

"I thought I'd tell a few select students after class this week."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He nodded. "Makes sense. I have to talk to a few folks too." His employers for one, friends as well, of course.

"Does ... anyone back home know you're coming yet?"

Yes, he was interested to know if her boss had been told yet.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

She smiled.

"I was thinking of giving him something like, oh, a day's notice."

Of course she knew who he was concerned about.

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"The element of surprise," he grinned. "Always a good tactic."

He considered for a second.

"You could give him another surprise too."

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

That made her raise an eyebrow.

"Oh?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"I could come with you. Just at first," he added.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

That made her eyebrows jump for a moment before she got a hold of herself.

"You would want to?"

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

"And miss a chance to see the great Detective Crown Investigator Abigail Irene Garrett in action? Heck no! 'Sides, seeing New Amsterdam would be like seeing a piece of history. Sorta."

"And I'd go anywhere with you," he smiled.

[brandyforapples.livejournal.com]

"Just for a while, anyway. I'm sure your friends will need you, as you've said," she replied, smiling as well.

"And... perhaps I'll visit a few times as well. See that charming friend of yours."

[crazypilotman.livejournal.com]

He laughed. "I'm sure BA would love to see you too."

"You just let me know when and I'll have all my stuff in order."